Arrest Made in Trooper Fatal Shooting

Print

Published on August 26 2019 8:02 am
Last Updated on August 26 2019 11:49 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Authorities made an arrest over the weekend in the fatal shooting of an Illinois State Trooper Friday morning.

Trooper Hopkins

(TROOPER NICHOLAS HOPKINS)

45-year-old Christopher R. Grant of East St. Louis has been charged with first-degree murder. Grant lives at the residence that was the target of a search warrant being executed by Trooper Nick Hopkins when Hopkins was shot. Grant was booked early Saturday morning.

Three people were arrested Friday in connection with the shooting. Grant is being held in St. Clair County Jail on $5 million bond.

Trooper Hopkins, who lived in Waterloo, was a husband, a father of four-year-old twins and an infant daughter, and a Waterloo High School graduate. He has a brother also in law enforcement and his father serves on the Waterloo City Council.

Hopkins, who served the majority of time with the Illinois State Police Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, was the first Illinois State Police trooper shot and killed in 30 years.

Trooper Hopkins was a friend to many in the area law enforcement community. After graduation from the State Police Academy, he was initially assigned to State Police District 12 in Effingham.